How is ex-Sunderland striker Ross Stewart getting on?
At Sunderland, Ross Stewart was considered a star. An integral part of the team, the ‘Lochness Drogba’ was considered the main man and even had his own song.
However, as is always the case when players perform at the top of their game, there was interest from another club: Southampton. With only one year left on his contract in 2023, Sunderland had a decision to make: cash-in on a player who could leave for free or gun for promotion with Stewart at the helm.
Another defining factor in the Scottish international’s potential switch was the achilles tendon injury he had been carrying since January 2023, when he was stretchered off against Fulham in the FA Cup 3rd round.
In the end, Saints took a gamble on the injured forward and signed Stewart for a reported £8m plus £2 in add-ons, as reported by Sky Sports reporter, Keith Downie.
Since the Scot’s move, has it gone to plan at Southampton? Or did Sunderland make the correct call?
Stewart’s move to Southampton scuppered by injuries
The signing of Stewart was always going to be an intriguing one, given he was out with a serious injury when he was signed by Russell Martin’s Southampton. As injuries go, this one was awful, as it kept the striker out for a total of 282 days before he returned to action in November 2023.
By the time the then 27-year-old made his debut for the Saints, he had already missed 11 matches, which included a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of his former club in the first game of the season.
On his return to first team action, Stewart would have been hoping that he could grasp his opportunity and force his way into a strong Southampton side. However, after just two games and 17 minutes of football, injury struck the Scot again.
